System and method for providing contact information of an out of area mobile device to a reverse 911 database

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Reverse 911 is a communications tool that uses a combination of database and GIS mapping technologies to deliver outbound notifications to communities and organizations. For example, reverse 911 allows emergency services to inform the public of a known hazard and/or emergency. However, cellular or voice over IP (VoIP) phone numbers are not automatically entered in the reverse 911 system database. In some locations, if a user would like to be contacted via a cell phone by the reverse 911 system, the user may register online or by filling out a physical form with the contact information associated with a cellular device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention include a method for providing contact information associated with an out of area mobile device to a reverse 911 database. The method includes receiving the contact information associated with a mobile device at a mobile switching center. The method determines whether the mobile device is within a particular wireless sub-network. In response to the mobile device not being within the particular wireless sub-network, the method generates a text message for providing the contact information of the mobile device to the reverse 911 database. The method transmits the text message to the mobile device and the contact information associated with the mobile device is added to the reverse 911 database in response to the reverse 911 database receiving the text message from the mobile device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present application, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts an embodiment of a network environment in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> depicts embodiments of applications executed within the network environment illustrated in <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a sequence diagram illustrating an embodiment for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an embodiment of a process performed by a mobile switching center for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an embodiment of a process performed by a mobile device for providing contact information associated with the mobile device to a reverse 911 database;

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an embodiment of a process performed by a reverse 911 database for adding contact information associated with a mobile device to the reverse 911 database; and

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> depicts an embodiment of a text message for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The disclosed embodiments recognize the problems associated with the current process of registering a mobile device, such as a cell phone, with a reverse 911 system. First and foremost, a user must be aware of the existence of the reverse 911 system and must also be aware of the ability to register a phone number of a mobile device with the reverse 911 system. Second, the process requires a user to actually manually register the mobile device. Finally, the reverse 911 system does not account for the current location of the user/mobile device at the time of an emergency. For example, suppose the user's registered location is San Diego, Calif. If the user travels to Dallas, Tex. and an emergency occurs in Dallas during his visit, notifications sent using the reverse 911 system would not be sent to the user's mobile device. Thus, certain of the disclosed embodiments provide a system and method for providing contact information of a mobile device to a reverse 911 database that may overcome one or more of the recognized disadvantages of the current system.

With reference now to the figures and in particular with reference to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>, exemplary diagrams of network environments are provided in which illustrative embodiments may be implemented. It should be appreciated that <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref> are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> depicts a network environment <b>100</b> in which the illustrative embodiments may be implemented for providing contact information associated with a mobile device <b>102</b> to a reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. In the depicted embodiment, mobile device <b>102</b> communicates wirelessly with a base transceiver station <b>108</b>. Mobile device <b>102</b> is a hand-held computing and/or communication device such as, but not limited to, cellular phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs). Mobile device <b>102</b> may be used to communicate with other mobile devices and/or computing devices over network environment <b>100</b>. In some embodiments, mobile device <b>102</b> may also have wireless capability to communicate with other mobile devices and/or computing devices over the Internet. Additionally, in some embodiments, mobile device <b>102</b> may be used to send and receive faxes, email, and text messages.

Network environment <b>100</b> is divided geographically into a number of cells, each defined by a radio frequency (RF) radiation pattern from a respective base transceiver station (BTS) antenna such as, but not limited to, base transceiver station <b>108</b>. Base transceiver station <b>108</b> is a piece of equipment that facilitates wireless communication between mobile device <b>102</b> and a network, such as, but not limited to, Internet <b>130</b> and packet based network <b>135</b>. In some embodiments, base transceiver station <b>108</b> includes a transceiver, a power amplifier for amplifying the signal from the transceiver for transmission through antenna, a combiner for combining feeds from several transceivers so that they could be sent out through a single antenna, and a duplexer for separating sending and receiving signals to/from the antenna. The primary function of base transceiver station <b>108</b> is to maintain the air interface, or medium, for communication to any mobile device within its cell, such as, but not limited to, mobile device <b>102</b>.

Mobile device <b>102</b> is associated with special codes/identifiers that are used to identify mobile device <b>102</b> and a service provider associated with mobile device <b>102</b>. Additionally, in some embodiments, the special codes/identifiers may also be used to identify an owner associated with mobile device <b>102</b>. In some embodiments, when mobile device <b>102</b> is powered on, mobile device <b>102</b> listens for a system identification code (SID), a unique 5-digit number that is assigned to each carrier by the FCC, on a control channel. The control channel is a special frequency that mobile device <b>102</b> and base transceiver station <b>108</b> uses to initiate communication (i.e., initiate call setup and channel changing). For example, if mobile device <b>102</b> receives an SID, mobile device <b>102</b> compares the received SID to an internally programmed SID. If the SIDs match, mobile device <b>102</b> knows that base transceiver station <b>108</b> is part of its home system. However, if mobile device <b>102</b> cannot find a control channel to listen to, mobile device <b>102</b> displays a “no service” message.

Along with the SID, mobile device <b>102</b> also transmits a registration request to mobile switching center <b>112</b> via base transceiver station <b>108</b>. Mobile switching center <b>112</b> is a service delivery node for network environment <b>100</b>. In one embodiment, mobile switching center <b>112</b> is responsible for handling voice calls and short message service (SMS) as well as other services, such as, but not limited to, conference calls, faxes, and circuit switched data. In addition, in some embodiments, mobile switching center <b>112</b> sets up and releases the end-to-end connection, handles mobility and hand-over requirements during the call, handles billing charges, and provides real time pre-paid account monitoring.

In one embodiment, the registration request transmitted to mobile switching center <b>112</b> includes contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b>, such as, but not limited to, the mobile directory number/mobile identification number (MIN) of mobile device <b>102</b> and an identifier of a base transceiver station transmitting the registration request, such as, but not limited to, base transceiver station <b>108</b>. The MIN uniquely identifies mobile device <b>102</b> in network environment <b>100</b> and, in some embodiments, is also a network-dialable number, i.e., a number that another mobile user or a landline user can dial to reach mobile device <b>102</b>.

In some embodiments, mobile switching center <b>112</b> stores the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> in a location database. Mobile switching center <b>112</b> uses this information to determine the location/cellular sub-system to route communications/calls to mobile device <b>102</b>. In addition, in the depicted embodiment, mobile switching center <b>112</b> communicates with short message service center <b>116</b> (SMSC <b>116</b>). SMSC <b>116</b> is a network element in network environment <b>100</b> which delivers SMS messages, i.e., text message. For example, in one embodiment, when a user sends a text message (SMS message) to another user, SMSC stores the message and delivers the message to the destination user when they are available.

Additionally, in some embodiments, SMSC <b>116</b> communicates with one or more SMS routers, such as, but not limited to, SMS Router <b>120</b>. In one embodiment, SMS Router <b>120</b> determines the final destination of received SMS messages and delivers the SMS message to the appropriate components within network environment <b>100</b> for processing. For example, in accordance with one embodiment, SMS router <b>120</b> communicates with a SMS router database <b>125</b> to determine the appropriate IP address to route a SMS message through Internet <b>130</b> and packet based network <b>135</b> for providing contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>.

Internet <b>130</b> is a global system of interconnected computer networks that interchange data using the standardized Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP). Internet <b>130</b> includes millions of private and public networks that are linked by copper wires, fiber-optic cables, wireless connections, and other technologies.

Additionally, in some embodiments, Internet <b>130</b> may be communicatively coupled to a packet based network <b>135</b> for routing a SMS message to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. Packet based network <b>135</b> is an interconnected set of networks that are joined by routers or switching routers for transmitting data packets. Packet based network <b>135</b> may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as, but not limited to, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).

Reverse 911 database <b>140</b> is one or more databases that store contact information of communication devices, such as, but not limited to, mobile device <b>102</b>, for delivering outbound notifications to communities and organizations. For example, reverse 911 database <b>140</b> enables emergency services to inform the public of a known hazard and/or emergency by using the contact information stored in reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. Alert notifications may be in the form a recorded voice message and/or in the form of a text message.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> illustrates embodiments of different applications, such as, but not limited to, a reverse 911 mobile device application <b>202</b>, a reverse 911 mobile device application <b>210</b>, a SMS router application <b>220</b>, and a reverse 911 database application <b>230</b>, executed within network environment <b>100</b> for providing the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. The disclosed applications may be stored in memory and executed by one or more processors on their respective computing device. Additionally, in some embodiments, the functions performed by the disclosed applications of reverse 911 mobile device application <b>202</b>, reverse 911 mobile device application <b>210</b>, SMS router application <b>220</b>, and reverse 911 database application <b>230</b> may be implemented in hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software.

In the depicted embodiment, reverse 911 mobile device application <b>202</b> includes a reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b>. Reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> identifies text messages that contain information for providing the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>, hereinafter referenced as a reverse 911 registration text message. For example, in some embodiments, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> may recognize a particular format and/or certain keywords associated with a reverse 911 registration text message, such as, but not limited to, “Reverse 911 Registration.” In other embodiments, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> may recognize a particular data packet and/or instruction code embedded in a reverse 911 registration text message for identifying the text message as a reverse 911 registration text message. Additionally, in some embodiments, in response to identifying a reverse 911 registration text message, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> displays the text message on a display of mobile device <b>102</b>. Further, in some embodiments, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> monitors for a user response (e.g., a user initiated send command). In one embodiment, if a user response is not received within a specified period of time (e.g., 15 seconds), reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> terminates the reverse <b>911</b> registration text message. For example, in some embodiments, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> may terminate displaying of the reverse 911 registration text message. Further, in some embodiments, reverse 911 text message identifier <b>204</b> may erase the reverse 911 registration text message from memory of mobile device <b>102</b>.

In some embodiments, reverse 911 mobile device application <b>202</b> may also include a receive acknowledgement module <b>206</b> for receiving an acknowledgment, as will be further described below, from reverse 911 database <b>140</b> of a successful inclusion of the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> that is specified in a sent reverse 911 registration text message. In some embodiments, if receive acknowledgement module <b>206</b> does not receive a successful acknowledgement from reverse 911 database <b>140</b> within a specified period of time (e.g., 60 seconds), receive acknowledgement module <b>206</b> may automatically initiate retransmission of the reverse 911 registration text message to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>.

Additionally, in the depicted embodiment, mobile switching center <b>112</b> executes reverse 911 mobile device application <b>210</b>. In one embodiment, reverse 911 mobile device application <b>210</b> includes a contact information extractor <b>212</b>, a wireless sub-network determination module <b>214</b>, and a text message generator <b>216</b> for providing the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>.

Contact information extractor <b>212</b> extracts/identifies the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b>. For example, in one embodiment, contact information extractor <b>212</b> identifies the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> from a registration request transmitted by mobile device <b>102</b> to mobile switching center <b>112</b>. As previously described, in one embodiment, the registration request transmitted to mobile switching center <b>112</b> includes contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b>, such as, but not limited to, the mobile directory number/mobile identification number (MIN) of mobile device <b>102</b> and an identifier of a base transceiver station transmitting the registration request, such as, but not limited to, base transceiver station <b>108</b>.

Wireless sub-network determination module <b>214</b> uses the identifier of the base transceiver station transmitting the registration request to determine the wireless sub-network in which mobile device <b>102</b> is currently located. For example, in one embodiment, wireless sub-network determination module <b>214</b> identifies the wireless sub-network in which mobile device <b>102</b> is currently located by matching the identifier of a base transceiver station transmitting the signal of mobile device <b>102</b> to a wireless sub-network using a data table comprising data that correlates base transceiver station identifiers to a particular wireless sub-network. As referenced herein, a wireless sub-network may be a network covered by a particular base transceiver station, a collection of base transceiver stations, a geographic grouping of base transceiver stations, a local exchange carrier network, or any other network or portion thereof.

Text message generator <b>216</b> generates a reverse 911 registration text message in response to a determination that mobile device <b>102</b> is currently located outside of a particular wireless sub-network, such as, but not limited to, outside of a wireless sub-network associated with an area code registered with mobile device <b>102</b>. In some embodiments, text message generator <b>216</b> determines the contact information for communicating with a local reverse 911 database (e.g., a mobile directory number of the local reverse 911 database) and includes the contact information of the local reverse 911 database in the generated text message. Text message generator <b>216</b> transmits the reverse 911 registration text message to mobile device <b>102</b>.

As will be further described, in response to mobile device <b>102</b> transmitting the reverse 911 registration text message, mobile switching center <b>112</b> forwards to the reverse 911 registration text message to SMS Router <b>120</b> via SMSC <b>116</b>. In one embodiment, SMS router <b>120</b> executes SMS router application <b>220</b>. In one embodiment, SMS router application <b>220</b> includes a IP address determination module <b>222</b> and a route determination module <b>224</b> for forwarding the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>.

IP address determination module <b>222</b> determines the IP address associated with a local reverse 911 database, such as, but not limited to, reverse 911 database <b>140</b> for registering the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> with a local reverse 911 database via Internet <b>130</b>. In some embodiments, more than one local reverse 911 database may exist. Additionally, in some embodiments, IP address determination module <b>222</b> communicates with SMS router database <b>125</b> to determine a corresponding IP address associated with a calling number of a local reverse 911 database that is included in the reverse 911 registration text message. For example, in some embodiments, SMS router database <b>125</b> includes a reverse 911 IP address table <b>226</b> for correlating a calling number <b>222</b> with a respective local IP address <b>224</b>. In one embodiment, SMS router database <b>125</b> receives the calling number of a local reverse 911 database and the cell code ID (CCID) in which mobile device <b>102</b> is currently located and returns the IP address of the appropriate reverse 911 database using SMS router database <b>125</b>. In some embodiments, SMS router database <b>125</b> may be populated manually and/or automatically by reverse 911 database <b>140</b> via Internet <b>130</b>.

Route determination module <b>224</b> determines the route (i.e., path from one network device to another) for transmitting the reverse 911 registration text message to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. For example, in one embodiment, route determination module <b>224</b> routes the reverse 911 registration text message by using a routing table stored in SMS router database <b>125</b> that contains the pre-defined routes for a connection.

Lastly, in the depicted embodiment, reverse 911 database <b>140</b> executes reverse 911 database application <b>230</b> for adding contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. In one embodiment, reverse 911 database application <b>230</b> includes a add contact information module <b>232</b> and a send acknowledgement module <b>234</b>.

In one embodiment, add contact information module <b>232</b> extracts/identifies the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> from a received reverse 911 registration text message. Add contact information module <b>232</b> then adds the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>.

In some embodiments, send acknowledgement module <b>234</b> determines whether the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> was successfully added to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. In one embodiment, if the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> was successfully added to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>, send acknowledgement module <b>234</b> transmits an acknowledgment to mobile device <b>102</b> indicating a successful inclusion of the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. For example, in some embodiments, send acknowledgement module <b>234</b> may return a HTTP response status code 200 OK acknowledgment, as defined in RFC 2616, to represent a successful inclusion of the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> by reverse 911 database <b>140</b>. In other embodiments, the acknowledgment of a successful inclusion by reverse 911 database <b>140</b> may be in the form a specific tone, such as, but not limited to, a tone corresponding a particular telephone key (e.g., the # key).

With reference now to <figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, a sequence diagram <b>300</b> illustrating an embodiment for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database is presented. Sequence diagram <b>300</b> depicts a sequence of communications occurring between the components of network <b>100</b> in accordance with one embodiment.

Sequence diagram <b>300</b> begins with base transceiver station <b>108</b> transmitting a system identification code (SID), a unique 5-digit number that is assigned to each carrier by the FCC, on the control channel at step <b>302</b>. In response to mobile device <b>102</b> receiving the SID, mobile device <b>102</b> compares the received SID with an internal SID to determine whether the SIDs match at step <b>304</b>. If the SIDs match, mobile device <b>102</b> knows that base transceiver station <b>108</b> is part of its home system and transmits a registration request that includes the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> to mobile switching center <b>112</b> via base transceiver station <b>108</b> at step <b>306</b>. In essence, the registration request enables mobile switching center <b>112</b> to locate mobile device <b>102</b> in the event of an incoming call.

In one embodiment, at step <b>308</b>, mobile switching center <b>112</b> determines whether the mobile device <b>102</b> is within a wireless sub-network associated with mobile device <b>102</b>'s assigned area code. If mobile device <b>102</b> is not within the wireless sub-network associated with mobile device <b>102</b>'s assigned area code, mobile switching center <b>112</b> retrieves the mobile directory number (i.e., the calling number) of a local reverse 911 database for the wireless sub-network in which mobile device <b>102</b> is currently located at step <b>310</b>. For example, in some embodiments, mobile switching center <b>112</b> queries a database for the calling number associated with the current wireless sub-network. In other embodiments, mobile switching center <b>112</b> may simply be assigned/know the calling number of the local 911 database. At step <b>312</b>, mobile switching center <b>112</b> generates a text message to add the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b> (i.e., the local reverse 911 database). In one embodiment, the calling number of the local reverse 911 database is included in the reverse 911 registration text message. Mobile switching center <b>112</b> transmits the reverse 911 registration text message to mobile device <b>102</b> at step <b>314</b>.

In one embodiment, in response to receiving the reverse 911 registration text message, mobile device <b>102</b> automatically displays the reverse 911 registration text message on a display of mobile device <b>102</b>. Alternatively, in some embodiments, mobile device <b>102</b> may indicate/notify a user that a text message has been received. Further, in some embodiments, a user may add additional information to the reverse 911 registration text message, such as, but not limited to, a physical address where the user is located. In response to the user initiating a send command, mobile device <b>102</b> transmits the reverse 911 registration text message to the calling number associated with the local reverse 911 database at step <b>316</b>.

Mobile switching center <b>112</b> forwards the reverse 911 registration text message SMS router <b>120</b> via SMSC <b>116</b>. In one embodiment, SMS router <b>120</b>, at step <b>318</b>, converts the calling number/MDN of the local reverse 911 database to an IP address associated with the local reverse 911 database to enable registration of the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> with reverse 911 database <b>140</b> via Internet <b>130</b>. For example, in one embodiment, SMS router <b>120</b> communicates with SMS router database <b>125</b> to determine the corresponding IP address associated with a calling number.

In response to receiving the reverse 911 registration text message, reverse 911 database <b>140</b> extracts the information from the text message and adds the contact information associated with mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b> at step <b>320</b>. At step <b>322</b>, reverse 911 database <b>140</b> transmits an acknowledgment to mobile device <b>102</b> to indicate successful inclusion of the contact information of mobile device <b>102</b> to reverse 911 database <b>140</b>, with sequence diagram <b>300</b> terminating thereafter.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is an embodiment of a process <b>400</b> performed by a mobile switching center, such as, but not limited to, mobile switching center <b>112</b>, for providing contact information associated with a mobile device to a reverse 911 database. Process <b>400</b> begins with the mobile switching center receiving the contact information associated with a mobile device at step <b>402</b>. In some embodiments, data store <b>122</b> also receives an identifier associated with a base transceiver station communicating with the mobile device. At step <b>404</b>, the mobile switching center determines whether the mobile device is within a particular wireless sub-network, such as, but not limited to, a wireless sub-network associated with an area code assigned to the mobile device. If the mobile device is within the particular wireless sub-network, process <b>400</b> terminates. However, if the mobile device is not within the particular wireless sub-network, the process generates a text message for providing the contact information of the mobile device to a reverse 911 database at step <b>406</b>. At step <b>408</b>, the process transmits the text message to the mobile device and the contact information associated with the mobile device is added to the reverse 911 database in response to the reverse 911 database receiving the text message from the mobile device, with process <b>400</b> terminating thereafter.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> is an embodiment of a process <b>500</b> performed by a mobile device, such as, but not limited to, mobile device <b>102</b>, for providing contact information associated with the mobile device to a reverse 911 database. Process <b>500</b> begins, at step <b>502</b>, with the mobile device receiving a text message that includes the contact information associated with the mobile device and a calling number of a local reverse 911 database. At step <b>504</b>, the process displays the text message on a display of the mobile device. The process receives from a user of the mobile device additional information to add to the text message at step <b>506</b>. In some embodiments, step <b>506</b> may be omitted. At step <b>508</b>, the process determines whether a user initiated send command is received within a specified time period, such as, but not limited to, 30 seconds. If a user initiated send command is not received within the specified time period, process <b>500</b> terminates. However, if a user initiated send command is received within a specified time period, the process transmits the text message to the local reverse 911 database at step <b>510</b>. In some embodiments, at step <b>512</b>, the process receives an acknowledgement that the contact information associated with the mobile device was successfully added to the local reverse 911 database, with process <b>500</b> terminating thereafter.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> is an embodiment of a process <b>600</b> performed by a reverse 911 database, such as, but not limited to, reverse 911 database <b>140</b>, for adding contact information associated with a mobile device to the reverse 911 database. Process <b>600</b> begins, at step <b>602</b>, with the reverse 911 database receiving a text message from a mobile device. At step <b>604</b>, the process extracts the contact information associated with the mobile device from the text message. The process adds the contact information associated with the mobile device to the reverse 911 database at step <b>606</b>. At step <b>608</b>, the process determines whether the contact information associated with the mobile device was successfully added to the reverse 911 database. If the contact information associated with the mobile device was not successfully added to the reverse 911 database, process <b>600</b> terminates. In some embodiments, if the contact information associated with the mobile device was not successfully added to the reverse 911 database, the reverse 911 database may transmit an error message/acknowledgement to the mobile device. If at step <b>608</b>, the contact information associated with the mobile device was successfully added to the reverse 911 database, the reverse 911 database transmits an acknowledgment to the mobile device indicating a successful inclusion of the contact information associated with the mobile device to the reverse 911 database, with process <b>600</b> terminating thereafter.

<figref idrefs="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> depicts an embodiment of a text message <b>700</b> for providing contact information associated with a mobile device <b>102</b> to a reverse 911 database. In the depicted embodiment, mobile device <b>102</b> displays text message <b>700</b> on a display <b>702</b>. In some embodiments, display <b>702</b> may include touch screen capabilities.

In one embodiment, text message <b>700</b> includes a title/heading <b>704</b>, such as, but not limited to, “Reverse 911 Registration.” In some embodiments, title/heading <b>704</b> may be used by mobile device <b>102</b> to identify/recognize text message <b>700</b> as a reverse 911 registration text message. In some embodiments, text message <b>700</b> may also include a reverse 911 calling number <b>706</b> (e.g., 527-334-3984) for calling the reverse 911 database. Text message <b>700</b> may also include a user name <b>706</b> and a callback number <b>708</b> (e.g., the mobile directory number) associated with mobile device <b>102</b>. Callback number <b>708</b> is used to call mobile device <b>102</b> in the event the reverse 911 database is used to broadcast an alert message. Additionally, in some embodiments, text message <b>700</b> includes a location prompt <b>712</b> to enable a user to enter/add additional information to text message <b>700</b>, such as, but not limited to, a physical address associated with the user's location. Further, in some embodiments, text message <b>700</b> may display a send command <b>714</b>. For example, in one embodiment, a user may transmit text message <b>700</b> by pressing button <b>716</b> on mobile device <b>102</b>. Alternatively, in some embodiments, if display <b>702</b> includes touch screen capabilities, a user may simply touch send command <b>714</b> to transmit text message <b>700</b> to a local reverse 911 database.

Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments provide an automated method for registering the contact information of mobile devices, such as, but not limited to, cellular phone numbers with a service 911 service. In one embodiment, a mobile switching center receives the contact information of a mobile device. If the mobile switching center determines that the mobile device is not located within a particular wireless sub-network, such as, but not limited to, a wireless sub-network associated with an area code registered to the mobile device, the mobile switching center generates a reverse 911 registration text message and transmits the reverse 911 registration text message to the mobile device. A user of the mobile device may then transmit the reverse 911 registration text message to a local reverse 911 database to have the contact information associated with the mobile device added to the local reverse 911 database.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the disclosed embodiments may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, the disclosed embodiments may be implemented entirely with hardware or as a software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, the disclosed embodiments may take the form of a computer program product embodied in any tangible medium of expression having computer-usable program code embodied in the medium.

Computer program code for carrying out operations of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language, such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

The disclosed embodiments are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations, sequence diagrams, and/or block diagrams. Each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification and/or the claims, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

In addition, the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which may include one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.